Leesville was the only Vernon Parish football squad to light up the scoreboard last week as they put up 48 points in a home win over district foe, Washington-Marion (48-6). Rosepine was shut out at home 38-0 by Logansport, one of the top Class A teams in the state. Pickering went on the road to Alexandria and fell to Holy Savior Menard 42-0 in their District 5-AA opener.
PICKERING
The Red Devils dropped the District 5-AA opener in Alexandria to fall to 0-6 (0-1) as their offensive struggles continue. The Pickering offense was led by Xavier Mitchell who managed 26 yards rushing. The Red Devils had success returning kicks as Jae’don Sandoval had three returns totaling 74 yards. Caleb Falls had a pair of returns for 31 yards. Defensively, Pickering was led by Mariano Bunch who registered five solo tackles and an assist. Hunter Noel and Connor Joseph each had three solo tackles and two assists.
Pickering hosts Rosepine in the Battle for the Big Dog Jug Friday night, October 13, at O’Banion Stadium. The trophy series was started by radio station KVVP-FM/105.7 in 2000. The team that wins the most games in a ten-year stretch keeps a trophy for their school. Pickering won the first trophy; Rosepine the next two; and the Eagles lead the fourth trophy series 1-0 by virtue of their 62-6 win last year. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Listen Live on KVVP-FM/105.7.
ROSEPINE
The Eagles fell to 2-4 on the year with a 38-0 home loss to Logansport last week. The Tigers scored on their first possession, completing the drive with a 45-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Steven Holloway to D’Avery Robinson. Holloway tossed a nine-yard TD pass to D’Warr’Tez Chatman later in the game. A four-yard TD run by Jukadynn Carter at the end of the first half put the Tigers in the lead for good. Tonashton Bland had TD runs of 24 yards and five yards as the Tigers went to 5-1 on the season. They also converted four of their five two-point attempts.
Rosepine’s offense did not have much to show for their effort as quarterback Rowan Embry was one out of two passing for 12 yards. Running backs Lane Willis and Devin Janice ran for 55 yards and 29 yards, respectively. Defensively, Landon Lawrence led the Eagles with seven solo tackles and one assist. Gabe Leslie had an interception and the defense had three tackles for losses.
Rosepine (2-4) plays at Pickering (0-6), Friday, October 13, 7 p.m. Listen Live on KVVP-FM/105.7.
LEESVILLE
Leesville corrected some recent offensive woes during a rare Thursday home game and took a convincing 48-6 District 3-4A win over Washington-Marion. The Wampus Cats improved to 3-3 on the year, 1-0 in 3-4A play.
The game was a great team effort as the Wampus Cats defense was in control all game. They let the offense do their thing with big plays to pick up a much-needed win going into this week’s heralded Hooper Trophy game.
The Leesville defense played lights out as Even Combs, Jaylen Tucker and Taj Jackson each rang up six tackles. Team stats were dominating with two sacks, five tackles for losses, interceptions by Jaylen Tucker and Christopher Leonard, and fumble recoveries by Matt Hazel and Dylan Walrers. The Leesville defense had negative rushing yardage against them for the game.
The Wampus Cat offense came out in a new wrinkle with All State running back Xavier Ford in the “Wildcat” formation with dynamic teammate Izaiah Farley in the backfield with him. Those two led Leesville on a 63-yard drive to open the game that ended when Farley scampered 25 yards for the first score. Farley showed his versatility by hauling in three passes for 82 yards, including a 58-yard reception for a score from Corbitt Robbins midway through the second quarter. Xavier Ford totaled 175 yards rushing and three TD’s (5-8-15) in just one half of action. Ford became just the fifth Leesville running back to go over 1000 yards in a season. Leesville led 41-0 at halftime.
When the Leesville offense sported a more traditional look, quarterback Corbitt Robbins was 5-8 passing for 120 yards and a TD. He also ran for a 15-yard score at the end of the first half. Robbins found sophomore wideout Michael Davis Jr. twice for 47 total yards. Leesville addressed an area of concern over the first five games of the season, and kicker Wyatt McShan responded by hitting six of seven PAT’s, including his first five.
Leesville is gearing up for their annual grudge match in the Hooper Trophy game Friday night at DeRidder. The trophy represents one of the longest standing rivalries in high school football. The first Hooper was awarded in 1910. DeRidder leads the overall series 56-41-4, but Leesville leads the seventh trophy series five games to two. The Cats have won the last two games: 42-15 in 2022 and 49-41 in 2021.
DeRidder comes into the game with a 4-2 record fresh off their first District win, 56-7 over LaGrange last Thursday. The Dragon defense has been formidable at times. In the four wins the defense has allowed just 19 points with one shutout. They allowed 4.7 points against them in their victories. The Dragons’ two losses have come on the road at Many and Jennings.
Listen live at 7 p.m. on KJAE-FM/93.5 and KROK-FM/95.7.
